`Independence Day' A Stunner

Derivative as that might sound, the movie delivers some of the best action and suspense of the big summer movies so far. It has a terrific cast and terrific effects. It's the summer movie of '96.

"Independence Day" confirms Will Smith (TV's "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air") as a major star. Smith certainly delivers, portraying Marine fighter pilot Capt. Steven Hiller, who battles UFOs intent on destroying Earth's inhabitants. Smith is the leader of the pack, but it's Smith, Bill Pullman and Jeff Goldblum who save the world.

Pullman portrays the president of the United States, who's called into action, as well. Jeff Goldblum, as a computer expert named David reprising his smart but stylish scientist role from "Jurassic Park," comes up with a plan to crack the alien's defenses.

The movie has a bountiful cast of solid actors in good supporting roles: Margaret Colin as a bright presidential aide and David's former wife; Robert Loggia, a crusty military leader; Vivica Fox, Hiller's girlfriend; Randy Quaid, a wild Vietnam veteran crop duster; Mary McDonnell, the president's wife, Harry Connick Jr., a young pilot; Judd Hirsch, a scene-stealer as David's dad; Brent Spiner, an eccentric researcher, and the always hilarious Harvey Fierstein, as a harried cable television staffer.

The special effects are spectacular and plentiful. This is one of those movies where the filmmakers seemed to have gotten together to ask, "What can we blow up next?" Well, just about everything, as you know if you've seen the previews.

For sci-fi film buffs, the aliens resemble those designed by H.R. Giger in the movies "Aliens" and are disappointing. Their spacecraft also are less compelling than in some other sci-fi flicks.

Fortunately, there's enough character development in the formulaic plot. Director Roland Emmerich ("Stargate"), in writing the script with Dean Devlin, has been careful to give enough screen time to the relationships. The downside is that, with the number of special effects, the movie is too long. At two hours and 20 minutes, it's just about 20 minutes too long.

There are some nice touches and humor: a telecast of "The Day the Earth Stood Still," the classic 1950s alien invasion sci-fi movie; the "footprints on the moon" from the U.S lunar mission; a reference to "2001"; REM's "It's the End of the World as We Know It" on the bombastic soundtrack, and "Dr. Strangelove" elements in the ending.

Based on the spontaneous applause in the middle of a recent screening, "Independence Day" should pulverize the competition. "Twister" wreaked havoc on the continental United States, with popcorn strewn across multiplex floors everywhere. Here, aliens hold the whole Earth hostage. That makes "Independence Day" bigger than "Twister." It should unleash an even bigger torrent of popcorn.